Daniel E. Howarth

Daniel E. Howarth passed away December 16, 2017 at Anne Arundel Medical Center at age 79.  Dan, or “Dan the Man” as he was known to some, grew up in Idaho where he loved to fish, hunt, trap shoot and bowl.  Growing up he harvested potatoes to earn extra spending money.  He graduated from the University Idaho in 1961.  Later he would get a job in Northern California, where shortly after he joined the Army and would be stationed in Los Angeles.  Here, he met his wife Brenda.  The two lived in California for a short time before settling in Maryland where they raised their children, and formed life long relationships with many neighbors who became like family to him.  Neighbors describe him as a man who could always be counted on to lend a hand for anything they might have needed.  Whatever the situation, he could be depended on to show up and help out. 

For over 39 years Dan worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. Co-workers recall Dan as being the type of employee who they could always depend on to show up and perform at an extremely high level. He was a highly respected staff member.  Post retirement, he continued to serve by participating as a board member, and serving on various committees for his neighborhood association in Odenton, Maryland where he lived for the past twelve years.

Brenda remembers Dan as a loving husband and father.  When he wasn’t tending to something in the house, or the yard, you could dependably find him engaged in his favorite activity—watching sports.  Dan loved to play golf with his sons, grandson and friends, and watching his favorite professional teams from the Washington D.C. area. He also enjoyed watching all the teams from the Univ. of Maryland.  Perhaps his favorite teams to see though were the many teams and activities that included his children and grandchildren.  If there was an event featuring those he loved, he showed up.

His children and grandchildren recall a man that loomed as large as a giant in their lives.  There was never a moment that he could not be counted on to show up and be there for whatever they needed.  He was dependable and never too busy to help out in any way that he could.  If three words could describe him best they would be these—HE SHOWED UP…Big Time.

Dan is survived by his wife Brenda of 54 years, his sons, Dan, Jr. (wife Susan) of Odenton, Maryland, Rick (wife Janelle) of Crofton, Maryland and four grandchildren:  Scott, Morgan, Megan and Kate.  He also leaves behind brother Roger (wife Janet) of Twin Falls, Idaho, sister Marilyn of Burley, Idaho, sister-in-law Lucille of Burley, Idaho and other family members.  He was preceded in death by his parents Mabel and Tom, older brother Tom and grandson Ryan Patrick.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or Hospice of the Chesapeake (www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/) in Dan’s honor.

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